The Future of the Supercar Scene: Why the Concours at Wynn is Stealing the Spotlight
By Jonny Lieberman, Contributing Editor
For decades, the automotive world has revolved around a handful of established pillars. Pebble Beach reigns supreme as the spiritual heart of concours culture, while The Quail often serves as its energetic appetizer. Yet, the landscape is shifting. A new titan is emerging, and it threatens to dethrone the old guard. Welcome to the Concours at Wynn Las Vegas—an event that is quickly establishing itself as the most exciting, cutting-edge showcase of modern automotive masterpieces on the planet.
The Evolution of Automotive Elegance
The term “concours d’elegance” has traditionally evoked images of vintage elegance—rare pre-war classics, handcrafted coachwork, and meticulous restorations. But the definition is expanding to accommodate the world’s most desirable modern machines. In the elite circles of automotive enthusiasts and collectors, the question is no longer “Is Pebble Beach the best?” It has evolved into a broader inquiry about the hierarchy of automotive gatherings: Is Goodwood superior? What about Amelia Island, Moda Miami, or the historic Retromobile?
While Pebble Beach remains the undisputed king of traditional concours, the crown is being seriously challenged by a younger, more dynamic contender. The Quail, officially known as The Quail: A Motorsports Gathering, has long held the title as the perfect precursor to Sunday’s main event. However, for a growing segment of the car world, The Quail may have already surpassed the venerable Sunday gathering. These aficionados are drawn to the latest hypercars and limited-edition performance vehicles. The demise of the Geneva International Auto Show created a vacuum in the supercar calendar, a void that The Quail has filled effectively.
Examples abound: The Lamborghini Aventador made its debut in Geneva in 2011, followed by the ultra-exclusive Veneno in 2013. The Aventador’s successor, the Revuelto, was initially unveiled online, but the Huracán’s replacement, the Temerario, was first seen at The Quail in 2024. Similarly, the seven-figure Fenomeno made its world premiere at the 2025 Quail. Bugatti launched the Chiron in Geneva in 2016, but both the Divo (2018) and Mistral (2022) were introduced to the world at The Quail. These instances highlight The Quail’s transformation into the world’s premier destination for modern automotive innovation.
The Vegas Shake-Up: A Concours Reimagined
This shifting paradigm was cemented at the 2025 Concours at Wynn Las Vegas. Having attended the 2024 event, I must admit it felt more regional than global. While there were some impressive vehicles, they largely comprised familiar faces. In fact, had it not been for a collaboration with Czinger, I might have skipped this year. I am profoundly glad I did not.
The Wynn Las Vegas has managed to attract an unprecedented number of the world’s rarest and most exclusive automobiles. This year featured an astonishing 48 Bugatti Veyrons on the lawn. Considering the total production of 450 units and only 100 sold in North America, this gathering alone was historical. But Bugatti’s contribution didn’t end there. They displayed a stunning white Vitesse Super Sport to commemorate the Veyron’s 20th anniversary, alongside a Bolide, Centodieci, Chiron Super Sport, Divo, Mistral, and a prototype of the upcoming 18-cylinder hybrid, the Tourbillon. Showcasing over 10% of all Veyrons ever built in one place is a feat that will be difficult to surpass.
A Feast for the Modern Enthusiast
For those who appreciate hypercars, the 2025 Las Vegas Concours delivered in spades. There were more Paganis present than ever before in North America. While I didn’t get an exact count due to being mesmerized by the Bugattis, the number exceeded 40. The display included several Zonda models, including a limited-edition Zonda Revolution (one of only five ever produced), dozens of Huayra variants, numerous Utopias, and, most notably, the world debut of the Huayra Codalunga Speedster. Pagani intends to build only ten of these carbon-titanium marvels, each carrying a price tag of $7 million before taxes and tariffs. (The mint green example under wraps belonged to Apple’s Tim Cook.) Even if these extravagant machines aren’t your preference, the fact that the 2025 Las Vegas Concours hosted the largest Pagani gathering ever in North America, and that Horacio Pagani—honored for his contributions to automotive design by emcee Justin Bell—chose this venue to introduce a new model, is significant.
The Lamborghini Spectacle
The Lamborghini section was equally mind-blowing. The 2025 Wynn Vegas Concours hosted the largest gathering of Lamborghinis in history. While the precise number wasn’t officially released, it was estimated at around 230 out of the 600 vehicles present. This display was truly breathtaking. Among them were rare production models such as the Veneno Coupe (one of only three sold to the public; the factory retained a fourth), a Sesto Elemento (one of ten), a Centenario Coupe (one of twenty) and its convertible counterpart (also one of twenty), and a Reventón (one of twenty-one). The last time such a collection of limited-production “few-offs” (as Lamborghini now calls them) was assembled in one place was at the company’s museum. It was a staggering display of precious, high-horsepower Italian metal and composites.
Beyond the Headliners
In the interest of brevity, I must omit mention of the Koenigseggs, the Gumpert Apollo, the Czingers, the Nilu, the debut of the McLaren Project Endurance race car, and the list of judged vehicles. These included a former Pebble Beach Concours-winning 1929 Mercedes-Benz 680 S Barker Tourer (which took best pre-war show honors), the HWA EVO, a Mercedes-AMG One, two Oldsmobile Aerotechs, and a McLaren F1. Even without these spectacular examples, the sheer scale and exclusivity of the exhibit make it one of the most important car shows in the world.
What Comes Next?
Two themes dominated conversations throughout the event. The first question was evident: “How on earth can they top this next year?” The Wynn team deserves credit for its ambitious vision, but answering that question is a challenge that may prove insurmountable. The second, more intriguing query came from the OEMs: “Should we even bother attending The Quail next year?”
This question carries significant weight. The Quail, while prestigious, has become prohibitively expensive for exhibitors. A single ticket cost $1,300 last year (a courtesy rate for legacy attendees) and $1,600 for first-time attendees. Given that it costs OEMs roughly $400,000 to display a car there for six hours, the math no longer adds up. The Las Vegas Concours, by contrast, charges approximately 1/20th of that price, with general admission tickets costing just $100.
This economic disparity has led many manufacturers to question their long-term commitment to The Quail. They wonder if Las Vegas and Moda Miami are now sufficient to showcase their latest innovations. Furthermore, for attendees, the Concours at Wynn eliminates the exorbitant costs and logistical headaches associated with other high-end events. Finding affordable accommodations is easy in Las Vegas, and the traffic is manageable, as the city is designed to handle large gatherings.
A Paradigm Shift in the Supercar World
While no one can predict the future with certainty, the Concours at Wynn Las Vegas has firmly established itself on my must-attend list. For those who appreciate the cutting edge of automotive engineering and design, this event represents the new vanguard of the supercar world.
Don’t miss the next chapter in automotive history. Secure your tickets for the Concours at Wynn Las Vegas and experience the future of the hypercar world firsthand.